I like to think
That long ago
There fell to Earth
Some flakes of snow
Which loved this cold,
Grey world of ours
So much, they stayed
As snowdrop flowers
(anon)
A friend and I went to the Physic Garden, London to do the snowdrop trail (I was secretly going for the home made cakes!), and I've been obsessing over snowdrops ever since. Now this is quite unusual for me as I'm not overly interested in flowers, but the shapes and types of the flower heads of the snowdrops were captivating. They are the first spring flowers to bloom and are a sign of hope, purity and endurance. After writing a couple of poems on the subject, I was astonished to find a plethora of poems by many different poets on snowdrops. My favourites were by Ted Hughes, Louise Gluck and William Wordsworth. I include part of Wordsworth's poem below...
To a Snowdrop
Lone flower, hemmed in with
snows and white as they
But hardier far, once more I see
thee bend
Thy forehead, as if fearful to
offend,
Like an unbidden guest. Though
day by day,
Storms, sallying from the
mountain-tops, waylay
The rising sun, and on the plains
descend;
Yet art thou welcome, welcome
as a friend
Whose zeal outruns his promise!
Snowdrops
Snowdrops;
A welcome guest after the
Winter's tenure.
White upon white.
Snowfall endeavouring, but failing
in their pursuit to mask the glory.
Solitary, petal heads facing
down, with an unassuming air,
Such curiosity with the ground.
Are they fearful of looking
directly upon the Spring sun?
Too bright for their blanched heads.
They stretch their graceful
necks with a bashful timidity;
That belies their inner strength
and fortitude.
A presentiment of hope and
endurance for all.
Snowdrops
Snowdrops bow their heads.
Solemn, wintry promises from
their green and white beds.
They stoop and curve their necks,
Listening for the hopes of Spring,
In dreams and whispers whilst
they slept.
Chandeliers and bells drooping
far down.
Solitary, white petal cups
nodding close to the ground.
Their shapes are playful,
In bloom early and bright.
Courageous, but humble
Despite being so slight.
In earnest they stretch, taste
the air and they cry,
Their freshness and contrast
captures the eye.
A symbol of times anew, that
have finally come.
A chance to rewrite stories that
have already begun.
At last Spring is here,
Yet no sign of the sun.
The Winter lost patience,
His reign now far gone.
So snowdrops I salute you,
And am blessed by your sight!
My soul is now hopeful,
Takes a breath, leaves a sigh.
Lily Basnet
"Your snowdrops" reminded me of a beautiful tradition :-)
ReplyDeleteEvery spring on March 1 people in Moldova, along with their neighbors in Romania and elsewhere where Romanians live, but also in Bulgaria, celebrate Martisor (Martzishor). Literally Martisor means little March: a small trinket pinned on the lapel by which winter is parted and spring is welcomed. This is my most favorite day of the year!!
We celebrate the rebirth of life after the hard winter. On this day men offer to their beloved women, to girlfriends, to colleagues women or any woman they respect flowers and martisors (the symbol of serenity and happiness).
One of the old Moldavian legend says that once in a fight with the winter witch, that didn’t want to give up its place, the beautiful lady Spring cut her finger and few drops of her blood fell on the snow, which melted. Soon on this place grew a Snowdrop and in such a way the spring won the winter.
Another legend tells that there was a time when the Sun used to take the shape of a young man and descend on Earth to dance among folk people. Now a dragon found out about this and followed the Sun on Earth, captured him and confined him in a dungeon in his castle. Suddenly the birds stopped singing and the children could not laugh anymore but no one dared to confront the dragon.
One day a brave young man set out to find the dungeon and free the Sun. Many people joined in and gave him strength and courage to challenge the mighty dragon. The journey lasted three seasons: summer, autumn and winter. At the end of the third season the brave young man could finally reach the castle of the dragon where the Sun was imprisoned. The fight lasted several days until the dragon was defeated. Weakened by his wounds the brave young man however managed to set the Sun free to the joy of those who believed in him. Nature was alive again, people got back their smile but the brave young man could not make it through spring. His warm blood was draining from his wounds in the snow.
With the snow melting, white flowers, called Snowdrops, harbingers of spring, sprouted from the thawing soil. When the last drop of the brave young man’s blood fell on the pure white snow he died with pride that his life served a noble purpose. Since then people braid two tassels: one white and one red.
As I said, every March 1 people offer this amulet called Martisor to the each other. The red color symbolizes love for all that is beautiful and also the blood of the brave young man, while white represents purity, good health and the snowdrop, the first flower of spring.
The 1st of March is the day when I take a deep breath and I think, uff... Sun is here, life is back and one more year of my life is on its way - it will be a beautiful year :-)
http://www.google.ro/images?q=martisor&biw=1076&bih=834
Thank you for your comments. They are really beautiful! I love the Romanian tradition of Martisor (little March!). What a stunning story!
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